john1177's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Definitely a product of its time.
Some of it was interesting, especially the first half: the resurgent importance of the library, the reliance on technology for modern life, what happens when things go kaput.
But I just can’t buy the optimism. Every problem has its solution the main character and his friends neatly figure out.
And in the end, everything will work out fine, even though most of the country just got blasted to bits. Sure.
Definitely a product of its time.
Some of it was interesting, especially the first half: the resurgent importance of the library, the reliance on technology for modern life, what happens when things go kaput.
But I just can’t buy the optimism. Every problem has its solution the main character and his friends neatly figure out.
And in the end, everything will work out fine, even though most of the country just got blasted to bits. Sure.
labeanorita's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
gracerose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bibliotequeish's review
4.0
Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
- Revelation 18:10
Alas Babylon, tells the story of the War that could have happened.
Warned of the coming bombs by his military office brother, Randy Bragg prepares for and lives through the end of the world.
With the breakdown of law and order Randy Bragg and his community of survivors navigate through the side of distopian novels we rarely see.
The beginning ... the fall.
It's the birth of Panem in Hunger Games.
A pre-faction Chicago in Divergent.
Before the first camera was installed in 1984.
The ending for me was a little lacking, I would have preferred an ending with a little more mystery.
- Revelation 18:10
Alas Babylon, tells the story of the War that could have happened.
Warned of the coming bombs by his military office brother, Randy Bragg prepares for and lives through the end of the world.
With the breakdown of law and order Randy Bragg and his community of survivors navigate through the side of distopian novels we rarely see.
The beginning ... the fall.
It's the birth of Panem in Hunger Games.
A pre-faction Chicago in Divergent.
Before the first camera was installed in 1984.
The ending for me was a little lacking, I would have preferred an ending with a little more mystery.
emmmysue's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't like the end, just as I thought. There isn't really a good way to end a novel that destroys most of the known world.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK IS TERRIFYING. Not because it's a horror story, but because of the circumstances of story. Though set in the late 50s America (Florida, to be specific), the global politics sounded so familiar.
Aside from my initial (and ongoing) terror as I read this through, this is a great survival adventure. Admittedly, there were quite a few lucky breaks that our band of survivors catch-but that was needed or this would have been more of a dystopian wasteland story, rather than the survival story of people coming together. The pace of this book was pretty solid, and there was a good amount of detail in a book that was fairly short.
The only perspective I would like to have seen more of was the military aspect of things. Basically, the reader only has narrative information related to military activities was up to the meltdown-after, only information that the survivors had access to was made available to the reader. It was a circumstance I wasn't wild about, especially given the taste of omnipotence that the reader was given at the beginning of the book was sorely missed.
I recommend this book to everybody-it's thoroughly entertaining, thoroughly terrifying, and thoroughly well written.
Aside from my initial (and ongoing) terror as I read this through, this is a great survival adventure. Admittedly, there were quite a few lucky breaks that our band of survivors catch-but that was needed or this would have been more of a dystopian wasteland story, rather than the survival story of people coming together. The pace of this book was pretty solid, and there was a good amount of detail in a book that was fairly short.
The only perspective I would like to have seen more of was the military aspect of things. Basically, the reader only has narrative information related to military activities was up to the meltdown-after, only information that the survivors had access to was made available to the reader. It was a circumstance I wasn't wild about, especially given the taste of omnipotence that the reader was given at the beginning of the book was sorely missed.
I recommend this book to everybody-it's thoroughly entertaining, thoroughly terrifying, and thoroughly well written.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Written in 1959 when people were so naive about the effects of nuclear holocausts. It does address the question of leadership, if the government falls apart, self-reliance, inventiveness and importance of community. the librarian became a most important person because of the importance of books for gaining knowledge.
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
kellieharrison62's review against another edition
4.0
Post apocalyptic novel that is riveting. Enjoyed the characters and the story line.
dixiet's review against another edition
4.0
4-1/2 stars. Really evocative of the time (50s nuclear war fears). Used references to people of color and women in terms we would not use today; however, at the same time, both were portrayed as smart, strong, and resourceful. Really engaging story that felt all too real and possible. I think this should still be widely read. I'm interested in checking out Pat Frank's other novels.